Learning Labs

Monday, October 8

8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

These 3-hour sessions provide in-depth knowledge and training on a specific topic, with hands-on work in small groups, peer mentoring, and coaching from learning lab faculty.

Assessing Nonprofit Financial Health

As funders look to improve the effectiveness of their grantmaking and increase the impact of their dollars, understanding a nonprofit’s financial health is crucial to aligning your giving with the nonprofit’s business needs. Target your dollars to achieve maximum impact.

Presenter: David Greco, Nonprofit Finance Fund, San Francisco, CA

Engaging Youth in Philanthropy

Many families include children in philanthropic activities as a way to pass on personal values, provide shared experiences, establish traditions, and prepare children to manage the family’s philanthropy as adults. Learn various models to engage children and young adults, from volunteering to discretionary giving to youth boards.

Presenters: Sahar Afrakhan, The Gaines-Jones Education Foundation, Novato, CA; Eric Hessel, Hendricks County Community Foundation, Avon, IN; Heather Jack, Future Philanthropists, a program of The Volunteer Family, Boston, MA; Annie Hernandez, The Lumpkin Family Foundation, Mattoon, IL; Amy Kurzeka Johnson, Classrooms for Change, Campbell, CA; Dana Marcus, Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation, Studio City, CA; Nishta Patel, Tarsadia Foundation, Newport Beach, CA; Katie Marcus Reker, Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation, Studio City, CA; Anita Jones Roehrick, The Gaines-Jones Education Foundation, Novato, CA; Miranda Roehrick, Positive Impulse Youth Board, The Gaines-Jones Education Foundation, Novato, CA; Jamie Semel, Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation, Studio City, CA; Kylie Semel, Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation, Studio City, CA; Shivani Tarsadia, Tarsadia Foundation, Newport Beach, CA; Lana Volftsun, The One Percent Foundation, San Francisco, CA; and Zachary Whitten, The Lumpkin Family Foundation, Matoon, IL

Facilitation: Tools of the Trade

Skilled facilitation is key for effective foundation leaders, whether trustees, staff, or consultants. From board meetings to grantee convenings to funder collaboratives, being able to confidently lead meetings strengthens your work and makes it more productive and enjoyable.

Presenters: Jack Chin, Arabella Advisors, San Francisco, CA, and Janice Simsohn Shaw, Association of Small Foundations, Washington, DC

Funding Advocacy, Mobilizing Partners, Catalyzing Change

Grantmakers are catalyzing change on broad and complex issues. Learn how to employ multiple strategies—scanning the landscape, inspiring partners toward a common purpose, committing for the long term, and funding advocacy—to increase public awareness, build government support, and be a force for change.

Presenters: Doug Bauer, The Clark Foundation, New York, NY; Billie Hall, Sunflower Foundation, Topeka, KS; Nayantara Mehta, Alliance for Justice, Oakland, CA; and Brian Rogers, Rogers Family Foundation, Oakland, CA

Grantmaking Essentials

Explore how to develop an efficient grantmaking program that fits your mission, goals, and capacity. Learn about grant guidelines, proactive versus reactive giving, due diligence, decisionmaking, grant agreements, effective grantee communication, and more.

Presenters: Richard Marker, Wise Philanthropy, New York, NY; Andrea Sholler, The Tow Foundation, New Canaan, CT; and Nancy Wiltsek, Consulting Services for Effective Philanthropy, San Francisco, CA

Impact Intensive

Making a real difference with your giving is possible, but it takes thoughtful planning. Identify what your foundation wants to achieve and develop a simple framework for giving that produces the results you desire.

Presenters: Sara Beggs, Association of Small Foundations, Washington, DC, and Jean Buckley, Tracy Family Foundation, Quincy, IL

Impact Investing: Business Sensibility for Social Good

Impact investors seek to address social issues while generating financial return – an approach inclusive of, but even broader than, mission investing and program related investments. With experts on the industry’s cutting edge, examine how to contribute to this mix of for-profit business and social impact.

Presenters: Berit Ashla, Foundation Source, San Francisco, CA; Amit Bouri, Global Impact Investing Network, New York, NY; Patrick Gleason, Meyer Family Enterprises, Oakville, CA; Floyd Keene, The Triple EEE Foundation, Deerfield, IL; Wes Selke, The Hub, San Francisco, CA; Suzanne Skees, Skees Family Foundation, Santa Cruz, CA; and Georgette Wong, Correlation Consulting and Take Action, San Mateo, CA

Legal Intensive

To get a handle on the essential legal requirements of private foundations, look no further! Learn about board responsibilities, private foundation rules, and how to stay legal in grantmaking. Get an inside scoop on what the attorneys know.

Presenters: Jim Joseph, Arnold & Porter, Washington, DC, and Ingrid Mittermaier, Adler & Colvin, San Francisco, CA

Social Entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneurship, the practice of inventing new approaches to transform society for the better, is attracting more talent, money, and attention than ever. Explore this increasingly visible field, including its definition, its intersection with philanthropy, and its inspirational stories.

Presenters: David Bornstein, The New York Times’s Fixes column, Dowser, New York, NY; Anne Marie Burgoyne, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, Menlo Park, CA; Niki Calastas, Hurliman Scholarship Foundation, Redwood City, CA; Abigail Falik, Global Citizen Year, Oakland, CA; Sandy Herz, Skoll Foundation, Palo Alto, CA; Dermot Hikisch, B Lab, San Francisco, CA; Daniel Kaufmann, Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies, San Francisco, CA; Gerald Richards, 826 National, San Francisco, CA; and Jill Vialet, Playworks, Oakland, CA